Magnetic tape

ABSTRACT

THE PLAYER ACCOMMODATES MAGNETIC TAPE CARTRIDGES WITH THE TAPE ARRANGED IN ENDLESS ARRAY. THE CARTRIDGE IS IN RECTANGULAR FORM, AND IS INSERTED IN AN OPENING OF THE PLAYER FOR DIRECT ENGAGEMENT IN THE PLAY MODE. A RECESS OR VNOTCH IN ONE SIDE OF THE CARTRIDGE COACTS WITH A PREPOSITIONED RETIONTION MEMBER BIASED INTO THE OPENING. THE MEMBER ENGAGES THE NOTCH TO PROVIDE A SUBSTANTIAL FORWARD FORCE COMPONENT THAT PRESSES AN EXKPOSED TAPE PORTION AGAINST THE DRIVE CAPSTAN AND FOR TRANSCRIPTION BY A PICK-UP HEAD, AND SIMULTANEOUSLY PROVIDES A LATERAL FORCE COMPONENT THAT PRESSES THE CARTRIDGE AGAINST AN OPPOSITE SIDE GUIDE THAT HOLDS THE CERTRIDGE IN STABLE PLAY POSITION.

W. P. LEAR MAGNETIC TAPE Jan. 15, 1974 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original FiledMarch 15, 1968 F/GIZ INVENTOR MLIJAM R L EAR @ATTQRNEY W. P- LEARMAGNETIC TAPE Jan. 15, 1974 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed March 13,1968 INVENTOR MLLIAM F? L EAR,

QL ATTO RNEY United States Patent MAGNETIC TAPE CARTRIDGE PLAYER SYSTEMWilliam P. Lear, Verdi, Nev., assignor to The Gates Rubber Company,Denver, Colo.

Original No. 3,560,126, dated Feb. 2, 1971, Ser. No. 712,648, Mar. 13,1968, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 494,645, Oct. 11,1965, now Patent No. 3,403,868, which is a division of Ser. No. 393,083,Aug. 31, 1964, now Patent No. 3,350,025. Application for reissue June27, 1972, Ser. No. 268,183 The portion of the term of the patentsubsequent to Oct. 1, 1985, has been disclaimed Int. Cl. B651117/48;G11b 23/06 US. Cl. 242-559 A 12 Claims Matter enclosed in heavybrackets II] appears in the original patent but forms no part of thisreissue specification; matter printed in italics indicates the additionsmade by reissue.

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The player accommodates magnetic tapecartridges with the tape arranged in endless array. The cartridge is inrectangular form, and is inserted in an opening of the player for directengagement in the play mode. A recess or V- notch in one side of thecartridge coacts with a prepositioned retention member biased into theopening. The member engages the notch to provide a substantial forwardforce component that presses an exposed tape portion against the drivecapstan and for transcription by a pick-up head, and simultaneouslyprovides a lateral force component that presses the cartridge against anopposite side guide that holds the ccrtridge in stable play position.

This invention relates generally to player systems for magnetic tapecartridges, and more particularly to novel players of endless tapecartridges for ready stable play in vehicles as well as the home. Thispatent application is a continuation-in-part of my copending patentapplication for Magnetic Tape Cartridge System," Ser. No. 494,- 645filed Oct. 11, 1965, now Pat. No. 3,403,868, which in turn is a divisionof my patent application for Magnetic Tape Cartridge, Ser. No. 393,083,now Pat. No. 3,350,025, and is related to copending patent applicationfor Combined Radio and Magnetic Tape Player, Ser. No. 494,647, filed onOct. 11, 1965, now Pat. No. 3,400,- 227, all of said patent applicationsbeing assigned to the assignee hereof.

Record players for vehicles should preferably be simple to operate andrequire a minimum of handling or attention by the driver. Disc recordshave been tried in automobiles without success because of the bumps andturns in riding. Magnetic tape recordings overcome needle bounce, buthave heretofore been relatively complex to play on the road. Further,the associated player equipment was bulky, and not convenient forautomobile use.

In accordance with the present invention the magnetic tape is used onindividual reels in endless array, each within a cartridge. Qualitystereophonic or monoaural music, hours in length, is recordable on eachsuch reel, within a cartridge that is light in weight and smaller insize than a pocket paperback book. The player hereof contains a tunnelopening into which the cartridge is inserted for play. A retentionmember, as a roller, is biased into the tunnel from one side at apredetermined intermediate location. The cartridges each contain arecess at the corresponding side. The recess has an inclined surfacepositioned to coact with the retention member to provide a substantiallongitudinal force that engages the magnetic tape in the play mode, andsimultaneously a lateral force to firmly hold the cartridge in theplayer against the opposite tunnel side.

Re. 27,885 Reissued Jan. 15, 1974 The player hereof, even combined witha radio, can readily be fitted behind the dishboard of an automobile, inthe space and position of the usual radio alone. The radio and playercontrols are all directly accessible to the car driver. The slot intowhich the cartridge is inserted for play is positioned adjacent to theradio tuning dial. Full insertion of the cartridge effects its latch-inand playback, automatically. Its full or partial release permits radioplay through the common amplifier-speaker set-up in the car. Thecartridge region within the chassis is proportioned and arranged toclosely fit about the cartridge, to guide it into the operativeposition. When its end reaches the capstan, the retention roller gripsthe cartridge to firmly hold it in precise play relation, and the driveand play circuits become energized. Track advancement is automaticallyperformed at the end of the previous one; or manually by pushbutton atthe dashboard controls.

The aforesaid features, advantages, and objects of the present inventionwill become more apparent trom the following description of an exemplaryembodiment thereof, illustrated in the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of the exemplary player combinedwith a radio, installed in an automobile dashboard, with a cartridgeinserted in play position.

FIG. 2 is the front view of the player of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is the top view of the player of FIGS. 1 and 2, cut-away to showits interior components in coaction with the inserted cartridge, in playposition.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the exemplary player, partially cut-away toshow the cartridge therein.

Referring to the figures, the player unit 15, combined with a radio, isarranged to be readily mounted behind the dashboard 16 of an automobile.It is compact, integrated, and efiicient in construction andaccessibility, in accordance with the present invention. The unit iscontrolled through two knob sets 17 and 18, as well as the position of acartridge 20 positioned within it. While the knob control arrangement isoptional, their functions in the exemplary system are: (a) on-oifoverall switch, and volume setting (by the front knob of left set 17),and (b) tone control (by the back one); (c) radio station selection ortuning (by the front knob of right set 18), and (d) stereophonic balanceamong the speakers (by the back one). System control by the cartridge(20) position, and the track selector switch (21), will be set torth indetail hereinafter.

The magnetic tape cartridge 20 is shown in the play position, pressedinto its innermost place within the radioplayer unit 15. The cartridgefits through an opening or slot 22 in the front bezel 23 and space 24within the unit 15, therefor. The cartridge 20 contains a finger grip25, 25 near its front, at each side for its convenient insertion andremoval. A transverse groove 26 adjacent the top front of the cartridgefurther facilitates its handling. Cartridge 20 is firmly and stably heldin play position by retention roller 27 pressed into a notch 28integrally formed in its side, by leaf spring 29. Physical details ofsuch cartridge are shown and described in the copending patentapplication of William P. Lear for Magnetic Tape Cartridge, Ser. No.393,083, filed on Aug. 31, 1964, issued as Pat. No. 3,350,025 on Oct.31, 1967, and assigned to the same assignee.

The structural compactness of unit 15 is rendered feasible, in part, bythe use of transistors and small circuit components for the amplifiersand the contained motor speed control circuit. Further, the direct motordrive (31) of the magnetic tape 30 of cartridge 20, by capstan-shaft 32,see FIG. 4, materially reduces the number of mechanical components andrequisite space therefor.

The radio tuner-detector module 33 is fitted along one side of thechassis unit 15; the stereo dual-signal amplifier 34 along the otherside. The sizable drive motor (31), and head track shift mechanism (notshown), are located in the space between the circuit sections 33, 34.The remaining circuit elements are readily arranged within the unit 15.The radio dial 35 is central, linear and horizontally disposed. Astation indicator 36 moves across dial 35. The cartridge slot 22 iselongated and parallel across the radio dial 35. The handling ofcartridge centrally of the unit 15, and adjacent the radio dial, atfordsdirect and convenient control of radio and record play while riding.Both the radio (35) and the tape cartridge (20) are directly controlledby simply reaching out with ones right hand.

The magnetic tape cartridge 20 is picked-up by thumb and forefingeracross grip cavities 25, or at top groove 26 and front-bottom. Thecartridge is inserted through slot 22. The frontal portion 37 of anupper plate is tilted upwardly at an angle to factilitate cartridgeinsertion into the unit 15. When fully inserted, a corner 40 of thecartridge front section is pressed against a stop 38, the retentionroller 27 snaps into notch 28. The stop 38 is adiustable through nut 39on a fixed post. This predetermines the play-position of the magnetictape with the capstan 32 and the pick-up head 41. Towards this end, aside guide 42 is arranged parallel to the cartridge 20, in the unit 15,very close to the cartridge when it is inserted. The use of a stop (38)is optional, as the press of the cartridge roller 50 against the capstan32 provides a satisfactory stop function. The cartridge is held inpractical play relation through retention roller 27, with tape 30 inplay position with transducer head 41, and trans versely moved by thecapstan-roller array.

The open space or tunnel 24 for the cartridge is formed by chassis base43, the side guide 44 on which roller 27 is mounted, the guide 42, andthe upper plate 45 that contains lip 37. The spacing between parallelside guides 42 and 44 is a small amount more than the width of thecartridge. In the exemplary player such width, internally between sideguides 42, 44 is just .030" more than the 4.0" cartridge width. Thelatched-in cartridge, by roller 27, is shown in FIG. 3, in the tape playposition. Roller 27 presses on the forward inclined surface of theV-notch 28, and does not bottom in this notch or recess in thelongitudinal side thereat of the cartridge 20. The results a forwardlongitudinal force and a simultaneous lateral one. Cartridge 20 is thusheld in a predetermined orientation within tunnel 24, with tape 30 inthe play mode. The closely pressed guide 42 holds it in proper parallelposition: and the capstan 32 and/or stop 38, in proper inward tape playlocation. The roller 27 thus retains the cartridge firmly and stably inthis play position, even during tough travel conditions, including bumpsalong the road.

When the cartridge 20 is in the play position, the selection switch 46is closed upon its outer tape-play contact 47, as shown in FIG. 3. Withthe on switch actuated by its knob (at 17), the closure of contact 47energizes the circuits for the meter (31) drive and the magnetic tapereproduction in a suitable manner as understood by those skilled in theart. When the cartridge is in its ready or "hold" position, shown at 20'in dotted lines in FIG. 4, the switch 46 is closed on its lower contact48 for radio-play operation.

The capstan 32 presses against the contained pinch roller 50 with thetape 30 therebetween. Rotation of capstan 32 by motor 31 transports thetape longitudinally across head 41, pressed thereto by a pad 51. Thetape 30 is on a reel (not shown) in the cartridge 20, in endlessconfiguration, as in the said patent. A tape guide 52 projects acrossthe tape 30 to hold it at a fixed height, as a reference for the trackshift mechanism for head 41. within the unit. Such mechanism is shown inour copending patent application for T rack Shifting Mechanism forMagnetic Tape, Ser. No. 392,213, filed on Aug. 26, 1964, and assigned tothe same assignee. The head 41 is shifted successively, laterally of thetape, track by track, upon actuation of contacts 53 by a suitableconductive patch on the tape at its track end/start recording region asshown in the latter patent application.

The radio antenna lead is suitably plugged-in at connector 54. Theexternal connections to unit 15 are made by a cable 55: to the battery,and the loudspeakers. The magnetic tape 30 plays when the cartridge isin the play position with unit 15, as shown in solid lines in thefigures, when the set-switch is on at 17, as aforesaid. It plays,track-after-track, automatically; being switch 21 that over-rides thecontactor 53 in the manner set forth in the latter referred to patentapplication.

The cartridge 20 is held in readiness-to-play in unit 15, when itsauxiliary notch 56 is engaged with retention roller 27. This occurs whenthe cartridge is in the dotted position 20' shown in FIG. 4. Theselector switch 46 thereupon closes at contact 48 to circuitally effectradioplay. The roller 27 prevents cartridge 20 from slipping out of unit15 when in the readiness position 20'. Tape record-play is quicklyaccomplished by simply pressing the cartridge full-in, to the solidposition 20, as will now be understood. Cartridge replacement is readilyperformed through the finger groups 25, 25 and 26.

An inclined corner or ramp 60 of the cartridge 20 engages retentionroller 27 as it is inserted through the slotted opening 22. The ramp 60is proportioned to cause the roller 27 to ride onto and along the sideof the cartridge, and thereupon engage the notch 56 or 28 The ramp 60 isimportant for this purpose for the easy use and direct manipulation ofthe tape cartridge (20) in the player system (15). A second inclinedcorner 61 is symmetrically located on the left side of the cartridge 20opposite ramp 60. The cartridge not only appears more esthetictherewith, but both forward corners 60, 61 inclined in this mannerfacilitate the insertion of the cartridge into the slotted opening 24 ofthe player with a minimum of concentration and handling. The magnetictape cartridge-play system of this invention is as readily operated asis the accompanying radio. Either the radio or the cartridge-playerhereof is directly reached, controlled and used, with one hand, evenwhile driving the automobile.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with anexemplary embodiment, changes and modifications may be made within thebroader spirit and scope of the invention, as set forth in the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:

1. A magnetic tape player for a cartridge containing a reel of tape inendless array with an exposed portion for coaction with the player, saidplayer comprising a chassis, magnetic tape drive means supported in thechassis including a capstan, a pick-up head, and a single retentionmember for stably positioning and holding the cartridge in full playcoaction with the tape drive capstan and pick-up head; said capstan andpick-up head being positioned at the interior end of a tunnel opening inthe chassis for pressing against the exposed tape portion of thecartridge when inserted and held in the tunnel opening; said retentionmember being predeterminedly mounted at the side of the tunnel openingthat is nearer said capstan and at a longitudinal distance from saidcapstan, said retention member being spring biased into the tunnel forengaging with the cartridge at its corresponding side when insertedtherein; and a side guide at the tunnel opening located opposite itsfirst said side; said retention member being arranged for displacementby a corner ramp of the cartridge upon its insertion in the tunnel andfor engaging the cartridge at a recessed region in its saidcorresponding side that contains an inclined surface, said retentionmember thereupon coacting with said inclined surface to develop a soleforward force on the cartridge to press its exposed tape portion intoplay relation with said pick-up head and into firm tape drive relationwith said capstan, and to simultaneously develop a sole lateral force onthe cartridge that holds it in firm stable relation against said sideguide in the play mode in the player.

2. A magnetic tape player as claimed in claim 1, in which said retentionmember comprises a roller adapted to rotate along the said correspondingside of the cartridge upon its insertion in or removal from the player.

3. A magnetic tape player as claimed in claim 1, in which said retentionmember comprises a roller and a spring that presses it against the saidcorresponding side of the cartridge upon its insertion in the playerwherein said spring biases said roller into engagement with the saidinclined surface of said cartridge recess to hold the cartridge in saidfirm stable play relation against said capstan, pick-up head and sideguide.

4. A magnetic tape player as claimed in claim 2, in which said roller isof cylindrical form with its axis of rotation arranged substantiallyparallel to said capstan.

5. A magnetic tape player as claimed in claim 3, in which said roller isof cylindrical form, and a pin supported by said spring and rotatablycarrying said roller with its axis of rotation substantially parallel tosaid capstan.

6. A magnetic tape player as claimed in claim 1, in which a secondregion in the cartridge adjacent to its said recessed region iscoactable with said retention member for physically holding thecartridge in said tunnel opening displaced from said capstan in out oftape play relation.

7. A magnetic tape player as claimed in claim 1, in which the cartridgecontains a housing of substantially rectangular form with parallellongitudinal sides one of which contains the said recessed region thatcoacts with said retention member, the width of said cartridge acrossits said parallel sides being nearly that which is efl'ectively betweenthe first said side of the tunnel opening and the said side guide,whereby the cartridge is stably pressed into predetermined capstan playcoaction for longitudinal transport of its exposed tape portion acrossthe said pickup head and held firmly in said tunnel opening during theplay mode.

8. A magnetic tape player as claimed in claim 1, in which the cartridgecontains a housing of substantially rectangular form with parallellongitudinal sides one of which contains the said recessed region thatcoacts with said retention member, a pinch roller mounted in saidhousing at a frontal opening thereof adjacent the said one longitudinalside which contains said recessed region for pressing the said exposedtape portion against said capstan for longitudinal transport of thetape, whereby the said forward force developed by the coaction of saidretention member and said inclined cartridge recess surface is directedsubstantially to press said pinch roller against said capstan for saidtape transport during the play mode engagement of the cartridge in theplayed.

9. A magnetic tape player as claimed in claim 7, wherein said retentionmember is the sole retention means for engaging the cartridge into thesaid positioning and holding mode for stable tape play in the player,and wherein the said recessed region contains the sole inclined surfacein the cartridge that coacts with retention means, to firmly and stablyhold the cartridge in its tape play mode in said tunnel of the player.

10. A magnetic tape player as claimed in claim 8, wherein said retentionmember is the sole retention means for engaging the cartridge into thesaid positioning and holding mode for stable tape play in the player,and wherein the said recessed region contains the sole inclined surfacein the cartridge that coacts with retention means, to firmly and stablyhold the cartridge in its tape play mode in said tunnel of the player.

11. A magnetic tape cartridge player comprising a chassis; magnetic tapedrive means supported in the chassis and including a tape drive capstan;a pick-up head, a cartridge containing a reel of magnetic tape inendless array with tape portions exposed at open regions of its frontwall; said capstan and pick-up head being positioned at the interior endof a tunnel opening in the chassis for coaction with the said exposedtape portions when in the play mode; and a single retention member forstably positioning and holding said cartridge in the tunnel opening inthe said play mode; said retention member being mounted at the side ofthe tunnel opening that is nearer said capstan and at a predeterminedlongitudinal distance from said capstan, said retention members beingbiased into the tunnel for engaging with the cartridge at itscorresponding side when inserted therein; and a side guide at the tunnelopening located opposite its first said side; said cartridge having rampmeans at its corner that is adjacent the capstan for displacing saidretention member upon insertion into the tunnel whereby said member ispressed along the corresponding cartridge longitudinal side; saidcartridge containing a recess in said longitudinal cartridge side at aposition for engagement with the retention member when the cartridge isinserted in the tunnel in its tape play position, said recess beingformed with an upstanding wall projecting inwardly from saidlongitudinal side and at a substantial angle thereto, said upstandingwall being arranged to coact with said retention member to provide asole force component forward of the cartridge to directly press theexposed tape portions against the drive capstan to firmly transport thetape and to simultaneously provide a sole force component laterally ofthe cartridge for pressing the second longitudinal cartridge sideagainst said tunnel side guide, and thereby stably positioning andholding the cartridge in the play rnode in the player.

12. A magnetic tape cartridge player comprising a chassis; magnetic tapedrive means supported in the chassis and including a tape drive capstan;a pick-up head: a cartridge of substantially rectangular form thatcontains a reel of magnetic tape in endless array with rape portionsexposed at open regions of its front wall; said capstan and pick-up headbeing positioned a! the interior of a cartridge receiving opening in theplayer for coaction with the said exposed tape portions when thecartridge is held therein in the play mode; and a single retention meansincluding a retention member for stably positioning and holding saidcartridge in the said pening in the said play mode; said retentionmember being mounted at the side of the opening that is near saidcapstan and at a predetermined longitudinal position from said capstan,said retention member being urged into the cartridge receiving openingfor engaging with the cartridge at its corresponding side when insertedtherein in the play mode; and a side guide at the said opening l catedopposite its first said side; said cartridge including a forward portionthereof cooperating with said retention means for placing said retentionmember into a position for movement to a play coaction p sition in arecess in a longitudinal side of said cartridge, said cartridge recesspositioned for engagement with said retention member when the cartridgeis inserted in the said opening in its tape play position, said recessbeing formed with an upstanding wall projecting inwardly from saidlongitudinal side and at a substantial angle thereto that is inclined inthe direction and dimensioned with respect to said retention means forcoacting with said retention member to provide a sole force componentforward of the cartridge that directly presses the exposed rape portionsagainst the drive capstan to firmly transport the rape and tosimultaneously provide a sole force component laterally of the cartridgefor pressing the second longitudinal cartridge side against said sideguide, and thereby stably positioning mid holding the cartridge in theplay mode in the player.

(References on following page) References Cited 2,778,637 1/ 1957 Eash179-1002 Z X The following references, cited by the Examiner, are 351736/1970 Heme: 353-19 3,161,362 12/1964 Srmth II 24255.19 A

gg r d 1n e p e fi of s patent or the orlgmal 2,867,389 1/1959 View F199UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 FOREIGN PATENTS 3,311,316 3/1967 Williams24255-19 A 2,810,148 10/1953 Japan 242-5119 3,033,269 3/1963 Gaubert242-5519 A 2,804,508 3/1951 Mastling 242-499 x BILLY TAYLOR: PrimaryExaminer UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION ReissueNo. 27,885 January 15, 1971;

William P. Lear It is certified that error appears in theaboveidentified patent and that said Letters Patent is hereby correctedas shown below:

In the specification, column 2, line 2, the word "dishboard" should bedeleted and the word dashboard should be inserted therefor.

Signed and sealed this 9th day of April 1971;.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD FLFL-JTGHERJR. C. MARSHALL DAMN Atte sting Officer Commissionerof Patents

